Phantoms at the Ovington Inland Championships

A competitive fleet of Phantoms gathered at Grafham Water Sailing Club taking part in the annual Ovington Inland Championships. The forecast for the weekend over delivered, with sunshine and blue skies and a fresh breeze pushing 25knts on the Saturday, moderating on the Sunday.

With a series of seven races and one discard, Saturday commenced with four back to back races with the PRO setting a trapezoid course for the day and the fleet took to the water with energy bars and liquid fuel.

Race 1 saw the fleet get away to a clean start, which was to be repeated through out the regatta. Guest Phantom sailor Oli Davenport (of P&B Race team) led at the windward mark closely followed by John Wayling and Rob Cook all from Northampton S.C. Oli proceeded to take them to the wrong mark which was quickly spotted by Charlie Chandler - Bowmoor S.C., Mike Webster - Northampton S.C. and the rest of the fleet, who all profited from the mistake. Charlie led at the leeward mark and held on until the final run where Mike managed to gain the lead and take line honors. Charlie in second and Oli D pulling back through the fleet to take third place.

Race 2 followed and the fleet now knowing where to go with OIi D and Mike battling it out at the front, closely followed by Rob and the new 'go fast' Oli Hopkins - Bowmoor S.C. The strong gusts made the runs hairy and the reaches thrilling. Oli D held off Mike to win with Rob taking third.

Race 3 proved to reward the boats hitting the corners with Charlie again leading at the windward mark holding to the finish line. Not much change in the race order after the first leg with Rob closing in on second and John taking his first podium place in third.

The forth and final race of the day couldn't come soon enough for some with wear and tear on bodies and boats. Aching legs pushed to the limit from the start with the usual suspects at the windward mark and lots of close competition throughout the fleet pecking order. The three laps were enough for all with Rob having a close race with Oli D and Mike always on their heals waiting to pounce.

In the end Rob was victorious with Oli D settling for second and Mike in third but with Nigel King - Lymington S.C forth, pushing for a top three place.

Over night there was a three way tie all on six points between Oli D, Rob and Mike with Charlie close behind on eight points, all to play for on Sunday.

Sunday morning dawned with a lighter breeze much to the relief of aching bodies. The sun was still shining and the three back to back races seemed much more palatable than the previous day. A gentle 8-10 knts promised more tactical racing in more shifty and patchy wind. The PRO set a windward leeward course for the day in the southern end of the lake.

Oli D, John and Rob testing out the beat before the start, underestimated in the lighter breeze and the time to get back to the line for the 3 minute preparatory signal and gifted the fleet and a smiling Charlie and Mike a one minute free lead. Another rooky mistake that may have been pivotal in the regatta.

Charlie and Mike again had a great battle at the front finishing in that order with Tom Gissaine - Bowmmor S.C. this time taking a well deserved third place.

Race 6 saw the fleet split left and right up the first beat. With more shifty conditions, both sides seem to pay and the more conservative boats up the middle lost out. Oli D keen to make up for the previous race took the lead, closely followed again by Rob and Charlie and these positioned remained the same across the finish line.

The final race of the series started in light and patchy breeze which gradually faded as the race progressed. Again left and right seem to be the way to go with Charlie hitting hard left and Oli D hitting hard right. Left was best and Charlie rounded the windward mark with a comfortable lead which was not really challenged by second place Oli D and John showing his tactical prowess to finish in third.

A great event to start off the new season which surely will see more competitive Phantom racing over the 2022 season in the midlands and across the country.

Congratulations to Charlie Chandler on winning the event and to all who took part in making it a great Phantom regatta.

Overall Results: